Eifel community mourns passing of former teacher

Published Jan. 18, 2008
By Denny Lemmon
Bitburg High School teacher

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The Bitburg High School and the Eifel Community were saddened to hear of the death of the legendary Oda Phillips Jan. 12, 2008. Mr. Phillips taught Social Studies and coached basketball and track for more than 38 years.

In those years he gave his body and mind to the members of our community. He had a brilliant mind that just sparkled when he was teaching history. He was a disciplinarian and pushed his students and his athletes to strive for perfection. Mr. Phillips wanted all of his students to have success and to become the very best that they could become. He was a great teacher, who wanted all of his students to succeed.

Despite his great knowledge in history, his great love was basketball. He teamed up with another legend in the Eifel, George Price, and together they dominated the basketball coaching scene in Europe. They coached the Bitburg Air Base team for 30 years, between the mid-1970s to mid-1990s. The Bitburg Barons won numerous U.S. Air Forces in Europe championships going through many seasons undefeated.

Upon hearing of the death of his good friend, Mr. Price said, "No one knew basketball better than Oda. He was simply the very best, and I will miss him."

For those who knew Mr. Phillips, he will be missed. We have lost a good friend, a great teacher and coach. Mr. Phillips is survived by his children Laena (Dave) Pfeiffer, Derek and Kevin Phillips and their mother Ingrid, and granddaughter, Lexie.